Growth Opportunities Infrastructure upgrades and a welcoming attitude make a top choice for businesses looking to relocate

ver the last few years, business owners with a keen eye Ofor opportunity have been gradually shifting the centre of gravity for business in the Lower Mainland. Investors and entrepreneurs are gravitating toward the rapidly growing city of Coquitlam, lured by affordable real estate and green field development opportunities, convenient road, rail and river transportation links, and a welcoming attitude to new business. No longer a quiet bedroom community to Vancouver, bustling Coquitlam is a thriving metropolis with a population of 125,000 – a number predicted to nearly double in the next 20 years. Towering skyscrapers continue to push the skyline upward and add density to the city centre while growing family neighbourhoods Spirit Square and the Glen Pine Pavilion showcase stretch outward; the city saw record values Coquitlam’s emerging city centre with its combination > of new development in 2011 and has even of residential and commercial opportunities and vibrant greater prospects for 2012. gathering places. Coquitlam is one of the fastest grow- ing communities in the Lower Mainland >

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE CITY OF COQUITLAM

An aerial view of the Port Mann Bridge under construction in November 2011. along with Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford, and will soon be the only one of them reached from Vancouver via Highway 1 with- out crossing a bridge and paying a toll. Moreover, infrastructure The Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 upgrades stand to make Coquitlam even more accessible. “The Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 improvements, the new King improvements, the new King Edward Edward overpass and the expansion of the SkyTrain to Coquitlam with the Evergreen Line – these are all real game changers,” says overpass and the expansion of the Mayor Richard Stewart. “Coquitlam is poised at this moment in its history to reach enormous heights.” SkyTrain to Coquitlam with the According to Stewart, the Pacific Reach and United Boulevard Evergreen Line – these are all real area is already receiving a lot of attention from investors. Currently home to big-box retail, manufacturing, warehousing and industrial game changers. Coquitlam is poised operations, this moderately developed area is Coquitlam’s prime territory for job creation. “A year from now, that area will truly be at this moment in its history to reach 30 minutes from anywhere in the Lower Mainland with connec- tions by water, rail and highway in every direction.” enormous heights. Stewart calls it “a courageous decision” to close King Edward – Richard Stewart, Coquitlam Mayor Street for three months last fall in order to replace the always-con- gested underpass with a brand-new overpass spanning the freeway and railway – and it’s already paying off. “I had more potential

Promotional Feature CITY OF COQUITLAM

investors for that area in my office in the month after King Edward reopened than in the three years before.” Business owners and investors are also eyeing the future Evergreen Line corridor, a project scheduled to break ground this year. On the books for more than 20 years, the long-awaited SkyTrain expansion will finally link Coquitlam to Vancouver via a world-class rapid-transit system. Such a dramatic improvement in the flow of people through the city promises a boost in pedestrian traffic for Coquitlam’s City Centre, and, thanks to master city planning dating back to the community’s rural beginnings, the city is ready for it. “That’s one of the advantages of a planned design: you’re able to manage traffic, design streetscapes that promote walkability and accommodate a diverse population, from young families to students and seniors,” explains Stewart. “We designed our city centre to be transit-oriented, pedestrian- friendly and commercially vibrant. The only thing missing was the rapid-transit connection, and that’s now coming to She rm an Mi c hael fruition.” Top: A panoramic view of Coquitlam’s city centre, and . “We’ll see City Centre become very Above: Coquitlam Centre has several entrances, including this attractive access point.

Promotional Feature CITY OF COQUITLAM

Improving access to United Boulevard Boasting 18 furniture stores along a one-kilometre stretch of road, “United Boulevard has been a kind of hidden jewel for shopping in the Lower Mainland,” says Michael Hind, executive director of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. Though now with improved access from all directions, he doesn’t expect it to remain “hidden” for long. “It’s a very dynamic place to come. There’s a great selection of furniture shops along this road, and there’s really something for everyone’s budget. Plus you can hit a few balls at the driving range at Eaglequest Golf centre, or head to the casino for dinner and a show.” Thanks to the new King Edward Street overpass that opened in November 2011, drivers experience a lot less congestion and shorter commutes when accessing the businesses along United Boulevard from Lougheed Highway and . It’s also been a boon to pedestrians and cyclists, who now enjoy a dedicated four-metre-wide path across the overpass. “We understand how challenging the construction period was for the businesses and residents in that area, and we certainly appreciate their patience,” says Mayor Richard Stewart. “In the end, these infrastructure upgrades are an investment in our future and create opportunities that benefit our community This aerial view shows the recently today, while supporting and energizing future growth.” l opened King Edward overpass.

vibrant – very much the centre of the city,” adds Michael Hind, executive director of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been a city without a real hub centre, and though that’s been changing, this will solidify it even more. I foresee great opportunities for retail and hotels in that part of town.” While Hind acknowledges that Co- quitlam’s business community has found transportation challenges to be limiting in the past, “the City has recognized that and is actively working with the Chamber of Commerce to promote and enhance the business climate.” And the City’s efforts aren’t limited to infrastructure improvements. “I want us to make Coquitlam the easiest place to create a job and the easiest place to do business,” says Stewart, “and we’re partway down that path. We’ve got more to do, but we’ve certainly embraced a great many initiatives Girl time. to ensure jobs and economic development and business opportunities are welcomed in Coquitlam.” Your Shopping Destination! One such initiative has been to review Find what you’re shopping for at Coquitlam Centre. thousands of community bylaws, drop- Featuring more than 200 stores and services, ping outdated rules and regulations and including H&M, Aritzia, Guess?, Jacob, Tristan, simplifying others. New regulations have Jack & Jill, lululemon athletica and Sephora. been adopted to welcome and promote the growth of home-based businesses. “We’ve Barnet and Lougheed Hwy l 604.464.1414 l coquitlamcentre.com

Promotional Feature Promotional Feature

Coquitlam College.indd 1 1/4/12 4:29:59 PM CITY OF COQUITLAM also streamlined the reasoning behind new streamlined approval process,” says Geoff business-application approvals, so staff can Nagle, director, development Western make decisions faster and can look for ways Canada, for Morguard Investments Ltd. A place to Live, they can say ‘yes’ as opposed to seeing the “Morguard works nationwide, and rules as barriers,” explains Stewart. “We’ve Coquitlam is high on our list of cities to invest work and play re-conceptualized the regulations to func- in and who are welcoming to business Accessible, affordable and rich tion as steps through which we can guide opportunities,” explains Nagle. “It’s a refresh- with opportunity, Coquitlam provides a business to successful job creation in our ing experience to have proactive approaches incredible and unique appeal for community.” to business by both City staff and politicians investors looking for all the things Speaking as a long-time member of the – too many cities just sit back and watch.” that make businesses successful and business community with plans for further Morguard owns Coquitlam Centre, the efficient. One such business is Canstar development that will put the revised regula- 918,000-square-foot shopping mall that Restorations. “Like most companies, tions to the test, “we’re pretty happy about the anchors City Centre. Morguard purchased we employ people in many roles and at many levels,” says company president Jay Dargatz. “An essential component in fulfilling our culture of respect was locating our operations within a safe and healthy community that offers affordable living and excellent community services for young families.”

HOUSING Options range from modern urban condos to executive homes on spacious lots, and with single-family homes selling at about one-third of the price of comparable properties on Vancouver’s west side, the homebuyer’s dollar goes a lot further in Coquitlam.

EDUCATION Coquitlam’s school district serves more than 30,000 students – making it the third largest in B.C. – and VancouverGolfC.indd 1 1/3/12 9:53:41 AM has the largest international education program in Canada. Coquitlam College and the David Lam Campus of Douglas College together serve more than 6,000 full-time post-secondary students in Coquitlam.

RECREATION The award-winning $50-milion Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex upgrade is the most recent City investment in an expanding network of civic facilities dedicated to recreation, including , City Centre Aquatic Centre and the rebuilt Chimo Pool. Residents also enjoy easy access to lakes, an extensive network of trails that blanket the city and thousands of hectares of natural park areas.

ARTS AND CULTURE Place des Arts and the Evergreen Cultural Centre host hundreds of presentations and programs for theatre, music, dance and art annually, and Coquitlam’s City Centre public library is set to reopen in a new and expanded location this year. In 2009, Coquitlam was designated a Cultural Capital of Canada in recognition of the contribution of culture to the community’s identity, quality of life and economic development. l

Promotional Feature

Best Western.indd 1 1/16/12 10:34:07 AM CITY OF COQUITLAM

Above: Mayor Richard Stewart and the City of Coquitlam’s manager of ICT, Rick Adams, discuss the benefits of QNet. Right: Mahler Industries Task Const.indd 1 1/3/12 11:14:05 AM is a leading provider of CNC precision- machined components. This employee is working with a CNC Turning Centre.

the 59-acre site when it was first developed ordered the laying of additional fibre in more than 20 years ago, and has watched anticipation of future needs. Beginning in the area evolve from quasi-rural land 2003, the City began connecting its civic adjacent to single-family homes to a busy buildings to improve the quality and reduce hub surrounded by 30-storey towers. the cost of its telecommunications services. Now at the nexus of a West Coast Ex- Taking the idea one step further, the City press train station, a major bus station and then established QNet as a unique utility what will be an Evergreen Line SkyTrain for residents and businesses in Coquitlam, station, Nagle is expecting to see substantial allowing them to connect to the network growth in northeast Coquitlam in the next and enjoy virtually unlimited connectivity few years. “With the expected increase of and bandwidth. traffic, we’re looking at densifying the site As the first city in North America to through expansion of retail and the addi- launch a dark fibre commercial enterprise, tion of mixed-use space for residential and Coquitlam has proven itself to be truly offices – everything one would expect for innovative and forward-thinking. “We’re not an emerging downtown core.” trying to make a profit at it,” says Stewart. Businesses setting up shop in Coquitlam “We just want to offer a unique competitive can also benefit from what may be the city’s advantage to businesses in Coquitlam.” biggest hidden advantage: a dark fibre optic While QNet has an obvious appeal to network spanning 60 kilometres through- telecommunications and technology-based out the city. Originally installed in the late industry as well as telecommuters, Stewart 1990s for the purpose of co-ordinating points out that every business, whether or traffic signals, a progressive City Council not it considers itself high-tech, can benefit

Promotional Feature Promotional Feature CITY OF COQUITLAM

Left: The City of Coquitlam’s manager of ICT, Rick Adams, explores the world of QNet. Above: Employees build circuit boards to support Ampco Manufacturers range of products and durable graphics. tri-city news

from the competitive advantage and cost savings of not having to face a monopoly of Internet service providers. “It’s important to have organizations like the City of Coquitlam develop these unassociated, unencumbered networks. It allows for a competitive scenario,” says Bruce Sanderson, president of Uniserve, a national telecommunications company based in B.C. that has been operating on QNet for the last year and a half. “Before, if we wanted to deliver our Internet service to a business in Coquitlam, we would have to go through the traditional incumbent provider’s network. With QNet, we can connect to them directly and offer a more competitive price point.” PRIMARY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR And such unique advantages to local MahlerHWY. Industries.indd 1/PORT 1 MANN BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT12/21/11 8:58:47 AM business owners, notes Stewart – combined with citywide infrastructure investments, robust economic growth, an innovative business community and an attractive qual- ity of life – make for plentiful investment opportunities throughout Coquitlam. n

This promotional feature was prepared Specializing in Installation of Street Lighting, for the City of Coquitlam by BCBusiness Airport Lighting, High Mast Lighting, Pump Stations, magazine’s Special Advertising Features Hydro & Telus Underground Installations Dept. Writer: Tiffany Sloan. For information, contact VP of corporate features John Cochrane at 604-299-7311. Email: 19122 - 21st. Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V3S 3M3 [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] | Tel: 604-533-3306 | Fax: 604-536-3376

Promotional Feature

Bay Hill Contracting.indd 1 1/3/12 12:12:28 PM